Facebook can be such a beautiful thing for reconnecting with people in your life. One of my sweet friends, dealing with her own health difficulties, posted something that I just keep turning over and over in my mind.

She said:

“I have been cocooning…

An awkward, isolating, and many times, unpretty chapter in our evolution.

However, you know what happens when it’s over….

I will have wings to fly!

And to soar, as my Creator would have me do…

I must wait patiently while my wings are fashioned and matured enough to break free from my shell, and to carry me beyond heights I have not even begun to imagine.

But, these things take time.”

I have been in a place of cocooning this month, a time of unpredictability and a longing for a prettier chapter. The spiraling can feel fast and furious, as can the frustration with the new normal.

This is what I will say that I have learned though.

I am stronger than I think I am.

I have the right and perfect support system in the wings anytime I need them.

I will no longer apologize for the mess I am.

I will, instead, say thanks for loving me and caring about me unconditionally!

Thank you, Marsha, for the Facebook status that reminds me of the beauty that comes after the waiting.

Here are 3 other things that are making me happy this week:

Happy Light for the Winter Blues

Seasonal depression is no joke and the Midwest winters can be brutal on a girl’s happiness levels. I bought a tabletop happy light that is supposed to help remedy the winter blues, give you more energy, and regulate those sleep cycles. I read a lot of articles about it (I found this one to be really straightforward on tips) and it is recommended that the light should be 10,000 lux. When browsing, you will find ones in a cheaper price bracket, but they aren’t offering the 10,000 lux that are recommended for effective treatment so I went for the big guns.

I use this for an hour in the morning with a good book and a tall cup of coffee. It is super important to be consistent and so I aim for around the same time and duration each day. I love that this is so small that it could be taken on trips, when we travel, and doesn’t take up a lot of storage in our home.

If you struggle with the seasonal blues or regulating those sleep cycles, this is a great low-risk drug-free investment to try!

Better Than a Pedicure Food Treatment

Do your feet get dry in the winter?

Should we even be talking about this?

Anyone else with a foot phobia? (*cringe*)

I hate how dry my feet get so when I ran across these gel socks, I thought they might be worth a try. YOU GUYS! These socks are AH-MAZING!! I can’t believe how much they have helped my tired feet. They are geared towards treating and hydrating callused feet and contain a gel lining with Jojoba Oils & Vitamin E.

The best part? They last SIX MONTHS.

You can wear them for thirty minutes or overnight. They require no messy lotions and have been way more moisturizing than any pedicure treatment or lotion I have ever bought.

I feel like I am giving myself a pedicure just walking around my house in my pajamas. In the words of Ina, “How bad could that be?”

They also cost less than one pedicure so I consider these a wise winter investment. I hope you love them as much as me!

A Piece of Work Podcast

As raunchy as it is, no show has made us laugh more than Broad City. I have become a HUGE fan of the stars and was so excited to see that Abbi Jacobson (a star & show writer) was partnering with MoMA on a podcast called, A Piece of Work.

The premise of the show is tapping into experts, curators, and some of her personal friends (like Questlove!) to ask all the things you have ever wanted to know about art. Abbi was an art major (I had no idea!) and she dives deep into the stories behind modern and contemporary pieces of art. The podcast is insightful and has a behind-the-scenes feel as Abbi gets to explore the inner workings of MoMA.

This is such an incredibly smart podcast that you will want to binge on in one sitting!

PS- language, so not one of the kiddos!

Reading: I started this book and am loving it. Ironically, I found out that the author is a neighbor of an old friend of mine! #smallworld! I would recommend this one for Picoult or Chamberlain fans. The price is nice too at just $4.99.

Playing: We had friends for another game night last weekend. This board game is becoming quite the hit with our visitors. I can’t wait to play it again!

Contemplating: I thought I would share this article with you. It gave me a lot to think about!

LOL’ed: Tired of talking like Cookie Monster? Get it together, iPhone!

Also, LOL’ed through Bad Moms 2. I didn’t think it was as good as the first one, but it was just what I needed after a stressful week!